Franciscan Sister Lorraine Schmitz dies

January 3, 2023

Franciscan Sister Lorraine Schmitz who lived her religious vocation as an educator for more than six decades, died at Sacred Heart in Milwaukee on Dec. 17. Sister was 80 years old.  

Sister Lorraine was born on June 6, 1942, in Harlan. She was received into the School Sisters of St. Francis on June 13, 1960; made her first profession of vows in 1962; and final (perpetual) vows in 1967. 

Sister Lorraine is survived by a sister, Arlene Hodapp of Erie Park, Colorado; many nieces and nephews; and by the School Sisters of St. Francis Community with whom she shared her life for 62 years.

Beginning in 1965, Sister Lorraine ministered in Iowa and Nebraska. In the Diocese of Des Moines, she served as a pastoral minister and director of religious education at Holy Family Parish (1987-1989) where she also served as parish minister (1989-2008). 

In her retirement, Sister Lorraine volunteered at New Cassel Retirement Center in Omaha (2008-2015), and served in the ministry of prayer and presence at Sacred Heart from 2015 until the time of her death. 

A funeral was held on Dec. 29 at St. Joseph Chapel in Milwaukee, followed by interment at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Milwaukee.